theatrical
gb/θiˈætɹɪkəl/ us/θiˈætɹɪkəl/
B2
English
~ 8100
színházi, mozis, színpadi, teátrális, melodramatikus, színpadias, amatőr színielőadás, amatőr színjátszás, műkedvelő színjátszás
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a/the theatrical [performance/production/release]
She has worked in theatrical production for more than twenty years.
Több mint húsz éve dolgozik színházi produkciók létrehozásában.
The film will have a limited theatrical release before it appears on streaming platforms.
A filmnek korlátozott mozibemutatója lesz, mielőtt megjelenik a streamingplatformokon.
He started his career in the theatrical world, acting in small off-Broadway plays.
The museum is hosting a festival of experimental theatrical performances.
The company is known for its lavish theatrical sets and costumes.
Learner examples
He loves the theatrical world and wants to be an actor.
Szereti a színházi világot, és színész akar lenni.
The movie had a big theatrical release in the United States.
A filmet sok moziban bemutatták az Egyesült Államokban.
They watched a live theatrical performance in London.
She studied theatrical design at university.
The city has a strong theatrical tradition.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *theatric* instead of *theatrical*; *theatric* is rare and usually incorrect in modern English. They also confuse *theatrical release* with *cinema release*; both are correct, but *theatrical release* is more common in industry language.
Meaning
relating to theater or stage
Collocations
theatrical production
|theatrical performance
|theatrical release
|theatrical world
|theatrical tradition
|theatrical trailer
Synonyms
stage (Used before nouns in a similar way (stage actor, stage production), but sounds slightly more informal and concrete.)
|
dramatic (Can mean related to drama in general, not only live theater; also often used for strong emotion, so it is broader.)
Themes
arts
|entertainment
|media
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About plays, acting, or shows that people watch in a theater.
Relating to the production, performance, or business of plays and other live shows in a theater.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/acts very theatrical
His apology felt so theatrical that nobody believed it was sincere.
A bocsánatkérése annyira teátrálisnak hatott, hogy senki sem hitte el, hogy őszinte.
She made a theatrical gesture of shock and covered her mouth with both hands.
Teátrális mozdulattal fejezte ki a döbbenetét, és mindkét kezével eltakarta a száját.
The speech was powerful but a little too theatrical for some listeners.
Critics complained that the acting was stiff and theatrical rather than natural.
He has a theatrical way of telling even simple stories.
Learner examples
Her reaction was very theatrical and did not feel real.
Nagyon teátrális volt a reakciója, és nem hatott őszintének.
He spoke in a loud, theatrical voice.
Hangosan, színpadias hangon beszélt.
Some people think his style is too theatrical.
The movie was beautiful but also very theatrical.
She made a theatrical bow after her short speech.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse *theatrical* with *theoretical*. *Theatrical* is about drama and performance; *theoretical* is about ideas and theory. They may also think *theatrical* is always positive; in this sense, it is often slightly negative or critical.
Meaning
overly dramatic and showy
Collocations
theatrical behavior
|theatrical gesture
|overly theatrical
|sound theatrical
|a bit theatrical
|highly theatrical style
Synonyms
dramatic (Can also mean exciting or full of emotion; *theatrical* more strongly suggests performance or pretending.)
|
melodramatic (Stronger and more negative, often suggesting silly or extreme emotion.)
|
showy (Focuses more on trying to attract attention, not always on drama or acting.)
Antonyms
understated (Describes style or behavior that is quiet, simple, and not dramatic, which contrasts with theatrical exaggeration.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Acting or speaking in a big, very dramatic way that looks like a performance, not natural life.
Behaving, speaking, or done in a way that is very dramatic, exaggerated, or showy, as if acting on a stage.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] puts on [theatricals]
As a teenager he took part in amateur theatricals at the village hall.
Tinédzserként amatőr színielőadásokban vett részt a faluházban.
The school’s end-of-year theatricals are famous in the community.
Az iskola év végi színielőadásai híresek a helyi közösségben.
During the holidays they put on light-hearted theatricals for family and friends.
Learner examples
She enjoys local theatricals in her town.
Szívesen jár a városában tartott helyi amatőr színielőadásokra.
He first did amateur theatricals at university.
Először az egyetemen vett részt amatőr színjátszásban.
The club puts on small theatricals every summer.
Many students join school theatricals for fun.
They met while working on community theatricals.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this noun is usually used in the plural (*theatricals*) and is less common in modern everyday speech; *drama* or *plays* are more frequent.
Meaning
plays or dramatic performances
Collocations
amateur theatricals
|school theatricals
|local theatricals
|put on theatricals
|take part in theatricals
Synonyms
drama (Very common and broader; *theatricals* sounds slightly old-fashioned or literary and often suggests organized performances.)
Themes
arts
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Plays and acting, especially as a hobby and not as a full-time job; usually said as *theatricals*.
Plays or dramatic performances, especially when done as a hobby or entertainment rather than as a full professional career; usually used in the plural.
Grammar
Dictionary form
theatrical
IPA
GB/θiˈætɹɪkəl/
US/θiˈætɹɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
the - at - ric - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (at)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: theatrical
Word family
Expressions
the theatrical world
1/ðə θiˈætɹɪkəl wˈɚld/
fixed phrase
community of theater professionals
The group of people and places that are part of theater, such as actors, directors, and theaters.
Examples
- She grew up in the theatrical world, as both her parents were actors.
- Networking is essential if you want to succeed in the theatrical world.
theatrical performance
1/θiˈætɹɪkəl pɚfˈɔɹməns/
fixed phrase
live performance of a play
One live show of a play or other act in a theater.
Examples
- The festival opens with a theatrical performance in the main square.
- Tickets for tonight’s theatrical performance are almost sold out.
theatrical production
1/θiˈætɹɪkəl pɹədˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
staged play or live show
A planned and organized play or show that is performed live in a theater.
Examples
- She is working on a new theatrical production of Shakespeare’s *Hamlet*.
- The city funds at least one major theatrical production every year.
theatrical release
1/θiˈætɹɪkəl ɹilˈis/
fixed phrase
first cinema showing of a film
When a movie is first shown to the public in cinemas, not on TV or online.
Examples
- The film is scheduled for theatrical release next spring.
- After its theatrical release, the movie quickly became available on streaming services.
theatrical trailer
1/θiˈætɹɪkəl tɹˈeɪlɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
film preview for cinemas
A short video that shows parts of a movie and is played in cinemas before the movie comes out.
Examples
- The studio released a new theatrical trailer ahead of the summer blockbuster.
- Fans analyzed every shot of the theatrical trailer for clues about the plot.